Vietnamese art exhibit confronts communism

Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Artist Ann Phong reflects on her painting "An Advice" featured at an exhibit in Santa Ana sponsored by the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Assn. The display purposely includes communist symbols, the flag of the fallen country of South Vietnam and artwork that has been banned in Vietnam.

Artist Ann Phong reflects on her painting "An Advice" featured at an exhibit in Santa Ana sponsored by the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Assn. The display purposely includes communist symbols, the flag of the fallen country of South Vietnam and artwork that has been banned in Vietnam. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Artist Brian Doan's photograph, foreground, depicts a woman wearing a shirt that represents the official flag of Vietnam. Doan says his work reflects the spiritual essence of the Vietnamese people, to address what it means to be Vietnamese at this time in history.

Artist Brian Doan's photograph, foreground, depicts a woman wearing a shirt that represents the official flag of Vietnam. Doan says his work reflects the spiritual essence of the Vietnamese people, to address what it means to be Vietnamese at this time in history. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)